About Me and how I moved to New Zealand

Let me tell you a bit about me.

I am a Polish-American girl that grew up in Boston and my family still lives there so I try to visit them regularly. I am a Boston girl to the core and still enjoy watching the Red Sox and the Patriots. I tend to get very passionate about my home teams!

I moved to New Zealand several years ago and now live in Auckland with my partner. He's a Kiwi boy from Wellington and we met in a pub. We've travelled a bit together and have a fantastic place in Auckland down the street from the Viaduct.

My very first trip overseas that didn't involve Poland is when I flew to Italy. The next few months were spent back-packing across Central and Eastern Europe with my best friend. I still have great memories from that trip.

Over the years, I've gotten a bit bolder and stepped outside my comfort zone a bit more. Central America came next and then came my boldest move ever: moving overseas on my own!


My Big Move!!

I graduated from university and went to work. After several years of working in the 'real world', I felt that something was missing.

I was tired of being stressed out for no reason and working long hours for little pay. I decided that I was going to quit my job and move to New Zealand.

Why? I heard it was a beautiful place to visit. Other than that, I knew nothing about the country! It was a huge risk to take but I needed to leave my dull 9 - 5 job and try something different. So, I guess, another thing about me is that I can be a little spontaneous to say the least!


I arrived in 2006 not knowing a single person. I made my way to Wellington and I got my first job making $19NZD per hour at a government office processing files and doing menial filing work.

But, I was incredibly happy! I saved up some money and went on a road trip across all of New Zealand. It was so refreshing to be able to wake up in a new town and take it day by day. There were no concrete plans and I eventually visited Australia, Southeast Asia and the Cook Islands. It gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do.


After a year, I wasn't ready to go back home to Boston. I fell in love with New Zealand and its people. I didn't want to go back to Boston and another 9 - 5 job working long, intense hours. The US economy was starting to tank so I needed to take action or I would need to return home.

My working holiday visa was running out and I needed to face the New Zealand Immigration system. I found a job that was able to sponsor me and got a work permit.

Now, I'm a New Zealand resident and free to live and work wherever I choose. Living overseas is rewarding and I can't imagine shifting back to the US any time soon.


Over the years, I worked various jobs as an analyst and travelled back to the United States to visit my family.


Living in paradise.....

is fantastic and so rewarding. I never thought I had the tenacity to go through all of these hurdles and obtain residency. It's so rewarding and I found that living overseas has its benefits!

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

Helen Keller

Helen Keller was blind and death but her attitude towards life always inspired me. Why would you want to live a boring life? I guess that's another thing about me: I crave adventure.

I took a chance moving to New Zealand and I knew if it didn't work out, it would only be a year out of my life. I tried to do something different.

The idea for this website came after my last trip to United States and the United Kingdom. Many were confused as to why I would want to live in New Zealand.

They only knew of New Zealand as a tourist destination and nothing more. I wanted to share with others what I've learned over the years. It's a terrific place not only to visit but to live.

After work, I'm already on vacation. I go hiking on beautiful trails and run along stretches of beautiful coastline. I don't need to travel too far to relax. Relaxation is always a few minutes away.

Remember, it's not hard to do what you love and it's never too late to try! I found out that sometimes you just need to take a chance and see what happens. I love writing about New Zealand and sharing all of the great things it has to offer.

I guess that's all about me! I hope you enjoy this website about my new home.

Izabela


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